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Have you heard the one about Ubuntu?

Building on from the success of last year’s event, my 16 year old son, Tadhg, is planning another story telling evening. He hopes you will come along, share stories, poems or maybe tell a joke. We expect it be an enjoyable evening again where we’ll share, learn, laugh and perhaps be moved.

This year we will also enjoy short stories from St Mary’s partnership school in South Africa. The Bambisanani Partnership is a charity that has been running for over 10 years and having a positive impact on both communities. Tadhg’s been a member of Ilkley Young Writers Group for a number of years and therefore seen and heard some wonderful, engaging and powerful performances. We hope a number of them will be joining us on Friday 12 May 2017 – hopefully a treat for all ages. A community event – where everyone is very welcome!

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Seconds Out! – Year 2

I can’t believe how fast the last year has flown by, but it has been a very enjoyable and productive one. It has also been a year of some real learning. More learning, challenges, mistakes, anxiety, growing confidence, fun and meeting and working with some really interesting, open and great people.

I have been to some outstanding talks this last year: my highlights have included Simon Biltcliffe, Steve Edge, Dominic Wilcox and Dr George Madine.  I’ve tried to blog or share the best bits I’ve found as well as

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Blog, Staple Stories

“The Angels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes”

Back in 2013,  I started wearing my Red Kickers to all my business meetings. I now understand there is some research from Harvard Business School indicating that wearing red shoes enhances perceptions of status and competence: Washington Post. Anyhow below is the story of when I bought my first pair.

I’ve never had any real fashion sense but was very fortunate that I grew up in London and just before I was going to university Dicky Dirts had a closing down sale. I walked into a scene of carnage as I entered the shop – I think it could have been a record for how many people you could cram into per square foot of shop. People were wandering around with arms full of merchandise with glazed grins and wide eyes scanning for more bargains.

I quickly found a couple of pairs of jeans, a few shirts, a duffle coat, some brown cord dungarees (I know!) and a size 10 red Kickers left boot – the holy grail. Now where was the right one?

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